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CHAPTER 1Preparation of Environmental Statements

Scoping opinions of the relevant mineral planning authority

12.—(1) A relevant mineral planning authority must adopt a scoping opinion in relation to every EIA application which is before it for determination and comply with paragraph (7)—

(a)where paragraph (2) applies, within 8 weeks of receipt of such scoping information as may be required pursuant to written notification given under that paragraph;

(b)where an applicant has made a request pursuant to regulation 10(2), within 8 weeks of receipt of a copy of a positive screening direction;

(c)in all other cases, within 8 weeks of the date on which these Regulations come into force.

(2) If an authority considers that it has not been provided with sufficient information to adopt a scoping opinion it must—

(a)where an applicant has made a request pursuant to regulation 10(2), within 8 weeks of receipt of a copy of a positive screening direction made under that regulation; otherwise

(b)within 8 weeks of the date on which these Regulations come into force;

notify the applicant or a relevant operator in writing of the additional information (“scoping information”) it requires and of the matters set out in paragraph 4 of Schedule 3.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), a relevant operator is any operator which the relevant mineral planning authority reasonably considers is, or should be, able to provide scoping information.

(4) Scoping information required pursuant to written notification given under paragraph (2) must be provided within 3 weeks beginning on the date on which the notification is given or such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the authority (“the relevant period”).

(5) If scoping information required pursuant to written notification given under paragraph (2) is not provided within the relevant period the planning permission to which the EIA application relates ceases to authorise any minerals development from the end of the relevant period.

(6) An authority must not adopt a scoping opinion under paragraph (1) until it has consulted the applicant, any relevant operator notified under paragraph (2) and the consultation bodies.

(7) An authority must send to an applicant—

(a)a copy of its scoping opinion adopted under this regulation; and

(b)written notification of the matters set out in paragraph 5 of Schedule 3.

(8) Where an authority fails to comply with paragraph (7) within the 8 week period applicable in accordance with paragraph (1), the applicant may request the Welsh Ministers to make a scoping direction under regulation 13.

(9) The adoption of a scoping opinion under this regulation does not preclude the relevant mineral planning authority or the Welsh Ministers from giving written notification under regulation 26 (further information) or regulation 27 (evidence).

(10) Where a relevant mineral planning authority receives a copy of a scoping direction pursuant to regulation 13(12) the authority must, within seven days of receipt of the copy, notify the applicant in writing of the matters set out in paragraph 6 of Schedule 3.

(11) A relevant mineral planning authority may withdraw a written notification given under paragraph (2) at any time before the expiration of the relevant period.

Scoping directions of the Welsh Ministers requested under regulation 12(8)

13.—(1) An applicant who, pursuant to regulation 12(8), requests the Welsh Ministers to make a scoping direction must submit with that request–

(a)a plan sufficient to identify the land;

(b)a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment;

(c)a copy of any relevant notification given to the applicant under regulation 12(2) and of any response;

(d)such other information or representations as the applicant may wish to provide or make.

(2) An applicant who makes a request pursuant to regulation 12(8) must send to the relevant mineral planning authority a copy of that request and of any information or representations which the applicant submits to the Welsh Ministers pursuant to paragraph 13(1)(d).

(3) As soon as reasonably practicable—

(a)following receipt of a request made pursuant to regulation 12(8); or

(b)where paragraph (4) applies, following receipt of such scoping information as may be required pursuant to written notification given under that paragraph,

the Welsh Ministers must make a scoping direction in relation to the EIA application which is the subject of the request.

(4) If the Welsh Ministers consider that they have not been provided with sufficient information to make a scoping direction they must, as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a request made pursuant to regulation 12(8), notify the applicant or a relevant operator in writing of the additional information (“scoping information”) they require and of the matters set out in paragraph 7 of Schedule 3.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4), a relevant operator is any operator which the Welsh Ministers reasonably consider is, or should be, able to provide scoping information.

(6) The Welsh Ministers must send a copy of any notification given under paragraph (4) to the relevant mineral planning authority.

(7) The Welsh Ministers may in writing, request the relevant mineral planning authority to provide such information as it can in relation to scoping information required pursuant to a written notification given under paragraph (4).

(8) A mineral planning authority to which a request is made under paragraph (7) must, within 3 weeks of the date on which that request is made, or such longer period as is agreed in writing with the Welsh Ministers—

(a)provide such information as it can in relation to the scoping information; or

(b)notify the Welsh Ministers in writing of the reasons why it cannot provide any such information.

(9) Scoping information required pursuant to written notification given under paragraph (4) must be provided within 3 weeks beginning with the date on which the notification is given, or such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the Welsh Ministers (“the relevant period”).

(10) If scoping information required pursuant to written notification given under paragraph (4) is not provided within the relevant period the planning permission to which the EIA application relates ceases to authorise any minerals development from the end of the relevant period.

(11) The Welsh Ministers must not make a scoping direction under this regulation until they have consulted the applicant, any relevant operator notified under paragraph (4) and the consultation bodies.

(12) The Welsh Ministers must, as soon as reasonably practicable following the making of a scoping direction under this regulation, send to the applicant and the relevant mineral planning authority a copy of that direction.

(13) The copy of the direction sent to the applicant under paragraph (12) must be accompanied by written notification of the right to challenge the direction and the time period for doing so.

(14) The making of a scoping direction under this regulation does not preclude the Welsh Ministers or a relevant mineral planning authority from giving written notification under regulation 26 (further information) or regulation 27 (evidence).

(15) The Welsh Ministers may withdraw a written notification given under paragraph (4) at any time before the expiration of the relevant period.

Scoping directions of the Welsh Ministers

14.—(1) This paragraph applies to every EIA application which, immediately before the date on which these Regulations come into force, is before the Welsh Ministers for determination.

(2) The Welsh Ministers must make a scoping direction in relation to every EIA application to which paragraph (1) applies—

(a)in cases where paragraph (5) applies, as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of such scoping information as may be required pursuant to written notification given under that paragraph;

(b)where an applicant or appellant has made a request pursuant to regulation 10(2), as soon as reasonably practicable following the making of a positive screening direction;

(c)in all other cases, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date on which these Regulations come into force.

(3) This paragraph applies to every EIA application referred to the Welsh Ministers for determination on or after the date on which these Regulations come into force and in respect of which—

(a)a copy of a scoping opinion has not been sent to the applicant under regulation 12(7); and

(b)a copy of a screening direction has not been sent to the applicant under regulation 13(12).

(4) The Welsh Ministers must make a scoping direction in relation to every EIA application to which paragraph (3) applies—

(a)as soon as reasonably practicable following the application being so referred; or

(b)where paragraph (5) applies, as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of such scoping information as may be required pursuant to written notification given under that paragraph.

(5) If the Welsh Ministers consider that they have not been provided with sufficient information to make a scoping direction they must—

(a)in relation to an EIA application to which paragraph (1) applies, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date on which these Regulations come into force; or

(b)in relation to an EIA application to which paragraph (3) applies, as soon as reasonably practicable following the application being so referred,

notify the applicant or appellant or a relevant operator in writing of the additional information (“scoping information”) they require and of the matters set out in paragraph 8 of Schedule 3.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), a relevant operator is any operator which the Welsh Ministers reasonably consider is, or should be, able to provide scoping information.

(7) The Welsh Ministers may in writing, request the relevant mineral planning authority to provide such information as it can in relation to scoping information which is the subject of a written notification under paragraph (5).

(8) A request made pursuant to paragraph (7) must be accompanied by a copy of the notification given under paragraph (5) to which the request relates.

(9) A mineral planning authority to which a request is made under paragraph (7) must, within 3 weeks of the date on which that request is made, or such longer period as is agreed in writing with the Welsh Ministers—

(a)provide such information as it can in relation to the scoping information; or

(b)notify the Welsh Ministers in writing of the reasons why it cannot provide any such information.

(10) Scoping information required pursuant to a written notification given under paragraph (5) must be provided within 3 weeks beginning with the date on which notification under that paragraph is given, or such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the Welsh Ministers (“the relevant period”).

(11) If scoping information required pursuant to written notification given under paragraph (5) is not provided within the relevant period the planning permission to which the EIA application relates ceases to authorise any minerals development from the end of the relevant period.

(12) The Welsh Ministers must not make a scoping direction under paragraph (2) or (4) until they have consulted the applicant or appellant, any relevant operator notified under paragraph (5), and the consultation bodies.

(13) The Welsh Ministers must, as soon as they have made a scoping direction under this regulation, send to the applicant or appellant—

(a)a copy of that direction; and

(b)written notification of the matters set out in paragraph 9 of Schedule 3.

(14) The Welsh Ministers must send a copy of any direction sent, and written notification given, under paragraph (13) to the relevant mineral planning authority.

(15) The making of a scoping direction under this regulation does not preclude the Welsh Ministers from giving written notification under regulation 26 (further information) or 27 (evidence).

(16) The Welsh Ministers may withdraw a written notification given under paragraph (5) at any time before the expiration of the relevant period.

Substitute scoping directions

15.—(1) This regulation applies to any EIA application in respect of which all of the following conditions are met—

(a)a relevant scoping decision has been notified;

(b)notification under regulation 18(21) has yet to be been given; and

(c)the EIA application in question has been referred to the Welsh Ministers for determination.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a relevant scoping decision has been notified if, in relation to the EIA application in question, the relevant mineral planning authority has complied with regulation 12(7), or the Welsh Ministers have complied with regulation 13(12).

(3) The Welsh Ministers may make a scoping direction in relation to an EIA application to which this regulation applies if they consider it expedient to do so.

(4) A scoping direction made under paragraph (3) replaces, for the purposes of these Regulations–

(a)the scoping opinion adopted under regulation 12; and

(b)any scoping direction made under regulation 13.

(5) If the Welsh Ministers consider that they do not have sufficient information to make a scoping direction under paragraph (3) they must notify the applicant or a relevant operator in writing of the additional information (“scoping information”) they require and of the matters set out in paragraph 10 of Schedule 3.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), a relevant operator is any operator which the Welsh Ministers reasonably consider is, or should be, able to provide scoping information.

(7) The Welsh Ministers may in writing, request the relevant mineral planning authority to provide such information as it can in relation to scoping information required pursuant to a written notification given under paragraph (5).

(8) A request made pursuant to paragraph (7) must be accompanied by a copy of the notification given under paragraph (5) to which the request relates.

(9) A mineral planning authority to which a request is made under paragraph (7) must, within 3 weeks of the date on which that request is made, or such longer period as is agreed in writing with the Welsh Ministers—

(a)provide such information as it can in relation to the scoping information; or

(b)notify the Welsh Ministers in writing of the reasons why it cannot provide any such information.

(10) Scoping information required pursuant to a written notification given under paragraph (5) must be provided within 3 weeks beginning with the date on which notification under that paragraph is given, or such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the Welsh Ministers (“the relevant period”).

(11) If scoping information required pursuant to written notification given under paragraph (5) is not provided within the relevant period the planning permission to which the EIA application relates ceases to authorise any minerals development from the end of the relevant period.

(12) The Welsh Ministers must not make a scoping direction under paragraph (3) until they have consulted the applicant, any relevant operator notified under paragraph (5), and the consultation bodies.

(13) As soon as reasonably practicable following the making of a scoping direction under paragraph (3), the Welsh Ministers must send to the applicant a copy of that direction and written notification of the matters set out in paragraph 11 of Schedule 3.

(14) The Welsh Ministers must send a copy of any scoping direction made under this regulation to the relevant mineral planning authority.

(15) The making of a scoping direction under this regulation does preclude the Welsh Ministers from giving written notification under regulation 26 (further information) or 27 (evidence).

(16) The Welsh Ministers may withdraw a written notification given under paragraph (5) at any time before the expiration of the relevant period.

Procedure to facilitate preparation of environmental statements

16.—(1) Subject to paragraph (6), the relevant mineral planning authority must, if requested by a person notified in accordance with regulation 12(7), 13(12), 14(13) or 15(13), enter into consultation with that person to determine whether the authority has in its possession any information which the person or the authority considers relevant to the preparation of the environmental statement and, if it has, the authority must make that information available to that person.

(2) Any person notified in accordance with regulation 12(7), 13(12), 14(13) or 15(13) may give notice in writing to the relevant mineral planning authority or, as the case may be, to the Welsh Ministers, under this paragraph.

(3) A notice under paragraph (2) must include the information necessary to identify the land and the nature and purpose of the EIA development

(4) The recipient of such notice as is mentioned in paragraph (2) must—

(a)notify the consultation bodies in writing of the name and address of the person who gave notice under paragraph (2), and of the duty imposed on the consultation bodies by paragraph (5) to make information available to that person; and

(b)inform in writing the person who gave the notice of the names and addresses of the bodies so notified.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), any body notified in accordance with paragraph (4)(a) must, if requested by the person identified to the body as being the person who gave notice under paragraph (2), enter into consultation with that person to determine whether the body has in its possession any information which the person or the body considers relevant to the preparation of the environmental statement and, if it has, the body must make that information available to that person.

(6) This regulation does not require the disclosure of any information—

(a)to which the Environmental Information Regulations 2004(1) apply, where the person holding it would be entitled to withhold it in response to a request made in accordance with those Regulations; or

(b)which in any other case would be exempt information if a request for its disclosure were made in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000(2).

(7) A reasonable charge reflecting the cost of making the relevant information available may be made by an authority or body which makes information available in accordance with paragraph (1) or (5).

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